Overpriced place, small portions. Food was ok, service was fine. It is not an authentic "Japanese" place. It also could be cheaper

This is a great restaurant in Downtown Evanston! The sushi is solid. They have the option for long or short rolls. I prefer the short rolls to try a few different ones. It's always fresh and delicious The appetizers are quite good, nice portions for sharing. The drink menu is creative and they have a good selection of sake & Japanese beer. The service fantastic! Our waiter Ryan was attentive and gave good recommendations. He has a great sense of humor and the night more enjoyable. Our water was always filled and plates cleared by our bus person. This is one our favorite spots for great sushi and service! read more

Expansive menu, excellent food, and casual atmosphere. At Kansaku Japanese flavors and ingredients infuse everything, including soups, salads, and main course fish, chicken, beef and pork dishes. Kansaku offers a large selection of maki rolls and sushi. Rolls are a bit pricey though the more standard--like California and veggie--are priced economically. I had a wonderful Caterpillar roll of crab, cucumber, and avocado. An upscale atmosphere for a date, special occasion, or business meeting. Sidewalk seating available as well as a sushi service. The only downside was slightly inattentive service. I waited longer than necessary to settle the bill, another customer had to request place settings after their appetizer arrived, while another table needed to tell their server they were ready to order. read more

Kansaku - The Caterpillar roll at Kansaku. - Japanese Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Excellent food and great service. The server was good. Had the Maki Lobster, miso soup, and filet mignon. The ambiance was calming.

Coming from Chicago, I was eager to find a go to sushi place in Evanston. I know I shouldn't compare sushi in Chicago to sushi anywhere that isn't by the water or a major US city but I was quite disappointed in Kansaku. We ordered bento boxes for dinner that took over 45 minutes to deliver to our table. The chicken teriyaki's consistency was as if it has been sitting in the watery sauce for an hour. It came out cold, with a watery teriyaki that lacked flavor. The sashimi was tasteless, lacking any sort of flavor. The California roll was decent but was falling apart. The redeeming part of this restaurant is anything fried. We enjoyed the gyoza and the fried item that came in the bento box, but we're very disappointed by the quality of fish and meat, not to mention the poor service. read more

Kansaku is a family fav!!!!! I just went there for my birthday and the sushi was bomb. Every roll is fabulous, even the ones I don't think I'll like :) our favs are the lakeshore drive, kansaku, crunch, and volcano. We'll be back soon. read more

Kansaku - Japanese Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

My hand roll was disappointingly small. There's supposed to be uni on it but I could barely see any :( I paid $20 for basically one bite. The spicy crunch roll was missing sauce it's supposed to come with spicy mayo and I didn't get any drizzled on top or on the side.... Also small portion for $20. Wasted $50 on this place read more

Kansaku - Spicy Crunch roll - Japanese Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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Great sushi. Love their food. I love their teriyaki salmon.

Let me start off with, "Wow." It's been 10 years since I've had food from Kansaku--even in college, I I never had high expectations for Kansaku, but today's experience is mindblowing. First, I'm glad Kansaku added chirashi to the menu. Second, what I received was not chirashi. It was 1/3 of a chirashi. 5 pieces of fish on top of sushi rice? For Kansaku to charge $15 pre-tax for in-dining and $20 pre-tax for delivery is robbery! read more

This was our first visit to Kansaku, and we were very pleased. The service was a bit slow, but that wasn't a problem because we had a lot of catching up to do. We started with Sapporo Dark beer, edamame, and pickle to start. If you haven't had Japanese pickle; please, give it a try. It is so yummy and I was so happy to see it on the menu. We proceeded to order two rolls and some nigiri. Everything was very fresh and nicely presented. One roll we knew would be spicy, and the other we thought would not. However, it turned out they were both spicy. So read the menu carefully and ask your server. read more

Best sushi we've ever had! They have such a wide range of specialty maki and each one was so good and included well thought-out ingredients. The Lobster King roll was delicious. The restaurant is small but not too cramped, and our sushi came out fast. The gyoza was also amazing, and they always kept our water glasses filled. So yummy! read more

Kansaku - Volcano, Spicy Crunch, and Scorpion signature Maki - Japanese Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

We LOVE Kansaku. Is it the best sushi I have ever had? No. Is it good sushi that will always produces really reliably good quality products, YES. You know bad sushi when you've had it (usually from all you can eat places which makes you feel sick afterwards).... You're never going to get that here. The fish always tastes fresh and the flavors are nice. You're just not going to be blown away by the presentation (like at Yuzu in Chicago) and it's not the most creative combinations. But again, I believe Kansaku has some of the best, if not the best, sushi in Evanston/Skokie. Whenever I get a craving I know that I will be extremely happy coming here. KETO. They only have two low carb rolls. But when you're doing keto, that's probably all you need. I don't have the break down on net carbs, but I can only guess it's a very small number. NOT KETO. They have you covered from simple 1-2 ingredient rolls for $6-8 to combination rolls with a little more flair and a little more $$. Overall, we always enjoy Kansaku when we go and we will keep coming back here when we want our fix of sushi and don't want to drive to Chicago (and pay the large prices). read more

Kansaku - Middle two are the low carb (keto friendly) options - Japanese Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

I'm new to the neighborhood and happy to say this is one of my favorite places. The food is Beautifully presented with orchids, and shells !! So fresh the fish it melts in your mouth. The owner Alice is personable and a delight! Indoor and outdoor tables available. I prefer the ones inside by the window. A great selection of special wines poured in large beautiful glasses so the red can really open. read more

This place is my new favorite place to eat in Evanston, great food and service. Love their maki rolls! Happy with everything but it's kinda pricey. read more

Kansaku - Japanese Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

I ordered the Tofu Kat Su Bento Box, a large variety of tasty food, all well prepared and beautifully presented. Kansaku gets my vote as the best Japanese restaurant in Evanston. read more

I got the food for takeout so I can't speak to the dining experience, but I loved my creamy lobster roll and spicy scallop roll! I wasn't a huge fan of the fiesta roll, but just my preference. It was fresh though, so no stars taken off for it. I liked the ambience and that tables are spaced out. I wish they opened a window or something since the weather was nice outside. That would make me feel better about eating in. But overall, I can't wait to come back! read more

I bought the Groupon for this place, basically a $35 gift card and thought that lunch would be a good time to go. They close at 2 and I walked in at about 1:30. The place was quiet with one table seated and the place quiet. My sis had a free day so she came along, she's pretty picky sushi wise. We started with the poke, which was served on taro chips interesting. The lollipop was not only inventive but tasty, and honestly a good bargain for all the sushi you get in it-tuna, white tuna and shrimp with a little bit of asparagus-which was a nice, fresh crunch and just a little bit of avocado. The other rolls we got were delicious-the Shiroi which again had spicy tuna and white tuna with cucumber-awesome. The sauce that it was drizzled with really made me pause-for a good reason. Definitely a lot of fish-for a maki roll that wasn't like a Godzilla or another crazy jumbo type roll. The last roll we got was the Lake Shore Dr. which was one of their jumbo rolls and it was. It was my least favorite roll out of the three but it honestly was still really good-I could definitely taste the yellowtail and the super white separately and slightly spicy. Really good, but compared to the others not as good-especially the Shiroi which was hands down delicious. read more

Kansaku - Japanese Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

I order delivery from them frequently and its is by far the best deal. What to get: Sushi burrito. I get it non spicy because I don't like spice and feels like it hides the flavor of the fish. I then politely requested it to be cut in pieces. You end up getting 10 pieces. I do this because the sushi burrito fad is pretty terrible and it will fall apart on you and you will lose most of your sushi. Price: $12 free delivery!! Such an incredible deal. Especially considering how high quality the sushi is Verdict: Literally the only thing I've tried on the menu. Greatly appreciate this place and will be a lunchtime staple. read more

Kansaku tries to be upscale sushi and Japanese food. But it fell a little short. Don't get me wrong; the waitress and hostess were both very nice and attentive, and water service was good. The sushi was mediocre though; with a roll named carnival, I was excited for bursts of fresh flavor in my mouth, but the sweet and sour and plummy sauce on the bottom of the plate just overwhelmed the palate. The roll could have done without all of the sauce. I tacked the filet mignon entree to my order, and that actually arrived to the table first. It looked like a dish out of a fusion restaurant. The filet sat on a cylinder of perfectly formed (though overcooked; boo) rice, and atop the filet was crispy, wonton-like strings. The pepper added a nice flavor to the entree. It's just that there could have been a little more meat and a little less of the salty, sweet sauce on the rice. You can find street parking or park in the lot across the street next to the Best Western. read more

Kansaku - carnival roll - Japanese Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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The service was great! The entire staff was friendly and very attentive. The atmosphere is really nice and cozy, the seating is a bit tight and you can hear the conversations of those sitting near by but overall the sushi is good. Ordered the shrimp tempura for appetizer and the Crab crunch roll along with the dragon roll. Spicy mayo is all you need to make any roll delicious. B+ overall read more

Kansaku - Japanese Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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After three years in the city, I'm back in Evanston and thankful that Kansaku's food is exactly how I remember it. While prices have gone up a bit in the last 4-5 years, like everywhere, their teriyaki chicken bento box remains the tastiest lunch deal downtown. Umami California roll with crab salad, tender cuts of chicken, sweet sauce, rice, vegetable koroke, ginger salad... (My only tiny complaint is that they included soup when I requested to leave it out, and I would've preferred not to waste it.) Thanks for being consistently delicious for so many years, Kansaku. read more

Sushi good Sushi good Sushi good Sushi good Sushi good Sushi good Sushi good Sushi good Also sushi good read more

I have eaten sushi many places in the country. I eat sushi 2 -3 days a week..... Kansaku is top shelf. The attention to detail is amazing. The fish is fresh the cuts are perfect Sushi rice seasoned perfect Great selection of sake I rate them in my top 3 sushi bars ever I was in Evanston 2 day and had dinner there both nites and will eat there every time I come to this town read more

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The food was great but we were asked to leave so other parties could be seated exactly one hour after our reservation time! Even for higher-end restaurants that limit seating time, 90 minutes is the standard. We had barely finished eating and it was disappointing to be ushered out so quickly. The waitress was polite enough about the request, but it still left an overall negative impression read more

Food was decent. But we were asked to leave after being there less than 1 hour because they said people were waiting. That seemed rude. We literally just finished when they asked us to leave. Be a little patient. A couple of minutes isn't unreasonable. read more

The restaurant atmosphere is nice, but the portions are always small. There has also been cases where my orders have been screwed up over and over. It's a nice looking restaurant but not too sure if I will go back because the food is "OK" at best. My advice would be to go to Sea Ranch (which is not too far away on Dempster Street). read more

My views about this place changed since I've reviewed it several years ago. But I'd suggest you order the hot meals instead of the rolls because the amount of sushi you get for the price (and the quality) probably isn't worth it. read more

I love the Nigiri! It's always fresh and delicious! I wish they would let me order sake on take out.

Relative to price, this is far worse quality than Shinsen which is also in Evanston and a half mile away. Service was polite and the option to do half rolls is appreciated, but the sushi itself is lackluster. Just, not super "fresh" tasting. Not bad, but somewhat dry, from the rice to the fish etc., and a bit of overcompensation with sauce as a result. If prices were reduced 25-33% this would be competitive but as is I'd rather go elsewhere, including even Sushi Kushi in Highland Park. read more

Anytime we're back visiting this is THE sushi spot. They have incredible staff and servers and you can also sit outside which is nicely heated when it's chilly out. We order the fire dragon roll, carnival, volcano roll and the fiesta roll. Their dessert is also insane.. they have a chocolate melting cake that's hard not to order after our meal. You have to try Kansaku if you haven't already! read more

The food was yummy but a little high in price especially when there are so many delicious sushi places in the area. The shrimp tempura was a little small and the yellow fish nigiri wasn't great. Good coconut shrimp! Overall pretty place but the service was extremely slow. It took 10-15mins to be seated with a reservation and then we made the mistake of not ordering right away. Our sushi rolls took an hour and we had to wait another 10mins for everyone's food to arrive. Would have been nice to have our server apologize for the wait. read more

Kansaku - Salmon avocado maki and tempura shrimp (not very much shrimp) - Japanese Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

So, i was one lf those annoying people that came in 20 minutes before closing. I made sure to order, ask for my check and a box right away. The staff was really friendly. There were a few people just sitting talking, knowing that the restaurant was closing and the staff did not react. It is a bit pricey. Paid $30 for 2 rolls and no drink, but they were pretty good. read more

Kansaku - Carnival (quite spicy) on the left and crab crunch on the right. - Japanese Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

I like to bring new people to this restaurant because of it's ambiance and the awesome food. Things to order - Appetizer - stuffed mushrooms, bacon wrapped scallop(it's small, they only give you two, instead of the usual four but it is still really good.), Edamame. For Dinner - Maki/Long Lobster King and Kamikaze. For Dessert - The Pyramid is awesome and of course the mochi ice cream. For Drinks - Lynchee Martini and Godiva Chocolate Martini. The owner is a weirdo but the staff, cooks, and waitresses are amazing! :) read more

I was so please with my meal here. The stuffed mushroom appetizer is delicious. I appreciated the low carb options on the menu- the lollipop and citrus spring. It was quite satisfying. I loved the spicy tuna roll. My friends rolls looked good and they really enjoyed them. They orders a margarita and mojito to drink - all of them said it was too strong and kept watering it down with their glass of water. Service was good. The interior was nice and relaxing. I'll definitely be back for those low carb rolls. read more

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I've been spoiled by great sushi in both NY and San Francisco. My headline for Kansaku is simple: It's damn good sushi and damn good rolls. I leave here a very happy human each and every time. read more

I happened upon this place looking for a sushi spot in Evanston. Overall, while not the best Japanese food I've ever eaten, it's still really good. I had their tempura udon, and it's a rarity for places to get the noodles right, which they did. However, the tempura was okay at best - nothing spectacular, but nothing to write home about. I also had a glass of sake, and the money spent/amount poured ratio was good. You definitely get what you pay for. The service was great, but I was there at a relatively non-busy time, so I've no clue how the service would be if they were busier. With this said, I can't imagine the service being any less great. You should definitely check them out when you get a chance. You won't be disappointed. read more

Kansaku - Tempura Udon and Sake - an awesome combination. - Japanese Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

We stopped in for a martini (Tuesday special) and grabbed a couple of maki rolls. This was a beautiful experience. The zen martini had a floating layer of ginger goodness on top. The cucumber Martina was not at all sweet and had a fresh finish. The sauce of the shiroi roll was plate-licking good, and the spicy tuna inside was clean, not the dynamite Mayo flavor I expected - I it! My ONLY suggestion would be to make sure the crispy skin salmon roll be cut thin - one piece was a little too thick, and the roof of my mouth was cut by the crispy skin. That stated, we will be back. The fish was fresh, and those preparing the sushi were intent on delivering a quality product; we could feel the love. Give this local gem some love ! read more

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I headed to Evanston to check out some art work and walked in here excited to try some sushi. I left very full and happy. :) I love Uni Shooters, so I had two and they were both fantastic- the oysters were fresh, the quail eggs and scallions mixed well with the ponzu and saki sauce for a spicy shot of liquid gold. The deep fried Tempura Tiger Shrimp were large and delicate, covered in a light and crispy coconut Tempura shell that was crunchy and not at all oily. The green tea noodle salad under the shrimp complemented the shrimp very well and the sweet chili and eel sauces added just enough heat to balance out the sweetness of the coconut. I love me some Spicy Tuna Tartare, and this version was quite lovely as the chopped spicy tuna and avocado held their vibrant color and natural flavors with the drizzles of ponzu sauce and the root vegetable taro chips were firm and fresh. The Beef Tataki looked just like it tasted- Amazing!! The angus tenderloin was sliced thin enough to eat and locked in the juices of the tomato, red onion, avocado, and citric garlic sauce. Easily my favorite dish. The Assorted Sashimi, Nigiri, and California Roll were all packed tight, cut perfectly, and tasted clean and natural. A lovely meal :) read more

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I have been a loyal customer for over 5 years. Have eaten there almost weekly. Have brought many friends there. One of the waitresses whom we have known for years told us that the owner had reduced and reconfigured the amount of alcohol in drinks and many customers were complaining when we asked why the drinks seemed different. This was several weeks prior. Sitting down at our usual table this Thursday night we were immediately confronted by the owner Yun (who is never there when we are but was there that night ) who started yelling at us saying we complained about the alcohol and that we were complaining about other things and that we should leave if we are not happy and that if we complain about anything we will be asked to leave! He was unhinged and threatening. We left immediately and went somewhere else. We were verbally abused by the owner, something that in my entire life of living in many places including New York and traveling around the world I have never experienced nor have I ever witnessed. The owner is inappropriate and abusive. My friends and I will never return to this place. It was a horrible experience and a sad end to what we thought was a place we would go forever. read more

I enjoy all of the maki rolls at Kansaku. This is a very nice intimate restaurant. The sushi presentation is very beautiful. Sushi is fresh and all the ingredients nicely balance and complete each other. I find this restaurant slightly on the pricey side; maybe $2 more than other sushi restaurants that I am used to. However the quality of sushi is very good. They do have several specials throughout the week and I plan on taking advantage of that. read more

Kansaku - Caterpillar roll - Japanese Near Me - Evanston, Illinois